Poor man's Anthony Bourdain's

Having dined on variations of dog meat in Vietnam, and traveled extensively around the World, I appreciate those who bring a fresh perspective. And in a world of influencer’s, it’s not too often you stumble upon two YouTube creators that offer genuine content. The real stuff. The Bon produit of finding the places we internet surfers would normally steer clear of. Benjamin of Bald and Bankrupt along with Wonton Don have given me a purpose for hitting that “Subscribe” button, and you should too.

Let’s start with Bald. He’s a British (Russian) expat who is equal parts funny and a human version of Google Translator. Much of his curiosity extends itself to the forgotten places of former Soviet Union. His candor and confidence in trusting its people is a beautiful reminder that kindness has no price tag. That outside of the vortex that Russia is somehow an “enemy” of ours here in the States, it’s people are truly salt of the Earth.

I’m not here to write wild breakdowns of each gentleman. Rather, show a snippet that gets you to glide through the videos like warm butter. So, here is Bald. In this episode he left us not knowing if a friendly drunken elder by the name of Kolya — who, at the time was living deep in the woods of a Chernobyl village — was still alive. Bald looked after him constantly and would stop in to give a years worth of vodka and rations. So, we see him travel back to visit Koyla only to be left with a cliff hanger where he’s unable to find this local Russian eclectic. Sure enough, days later not knowing if he is dead or alive, there was a new video uploaded. Holy canoli, here we go:

Then there’s the whoa’est of weirds in a man named Wonton Don. A gentleman who hoists a solid Boston accent and the drinking rapport that comes with it. Early in his career just after college Donnie headed off to teach in China. He then lost said teaching job with no plan to jump ship, and instead began to make videos. Needless to say, they were both cringe and impressive to start.

Barstool Sports came to the rescue and signed him to be their International Man of Mystery. What can you expect in his vlogging? One day you’ll find him cranking hoons (cigs) and chirping NBA sellout Stephon Marbury at a Shangai Ducks game. The next, he’ll be jetting off to test the Happy Pizza of Cambodia and finishing a day as a hippo swimming in some hotel pool. He even has time to teach us Donnie cult members how to make the World’s best Goons (aka Rangoons) with his adorable house helper Hu Ayi. She’s simply the best.

So much I could say about Wonton, but I think a small sample here will be your ticket to enjoyment town. Take a short ride with Donnie as he eats a street cooked Tarantula. Literally nothing is off menu with the Poor Man’s Anthony Bourdain, and for that… we salute you, Wonton Don!